Machine for building up boards.



E. J. BELL. MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS. APPLIGATION FILED APR.13,1911.

1,090,903. Patented Mar. 24, .1914- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH $0., WASHINGTON. D.'c.

E. J. BELL. MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 13,1911.

1,990,903. v I Patented Mar.24, 191 1 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l gwgz r COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. D, c.

E. J. BELL. MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.13, 1911. 1,090,903, Patented Mar. 24, 19M

6 SHBETSSHEET 3.

Imventor witnesses COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH 60.,WA5HINUTON, D. c.

E. J. BELL.

MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1911.

1,090,903. Patented Mar.24,1911

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Inwenror attorneys COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60.. WASHINGTON, n. c

E. J. BELL. MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS. APPLICATION FILED APR.13,1911 1,090,903; Y Patented Mar.24,1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. J. BELL. MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS.

I APPLIUATION FILED APR. 13, 1911.

1,690,903. Patented M31224, 1914 GSHBETS-SHEET 6.

1 (tome/1 o COLUMBIA PLANOGRAI-H c0., WASHINGTON. D c.

wheel 10 is keyed to the shaft 9 the sprocket chain 11, engaging thesprocket l EDWIN J. BELL, OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FOR BUILDING UP BOARDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 24,1214.

Application filedApril 13,1911. Serial No. 620,825.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN J. BELL, citizen of the United States,residing at Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago and State ofl/Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMachines for Building Up Boards, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to a machine for building up boards from pieces.

My invention further relates to an automatic cut-off when the boards arebuilt.

My invention further relates to an automatic mechanism for removing theboards as soon as they are cut-off.

My invention further relates to a continuous method of building upboards from pieces, cutting them off when built and removing them, afterthe cut-off.

My invention further relates to a swing ing saw frame carrying a seriesof saws in alinement with each other.

My invention further relates to automatic safety appliances tosupportthe contents of the hopper at the interval of the cut.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 represents a plan view 'of myinvention and Fig. 2, a side view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a sideview and Fig. 4 a top view of the pusher. Fig. 5 represents a side viewand Fig. 5 an end view of the rod upon which the pusher head is mounted.Fig. 6 is an end view. Fig. 7 is a side view and Fig. 8 a plan view ofthe supporting table upon which the pusher slides. Fig. 9 is a plan viewand Fig. 10 a side View of the mechanism for supporting the contents ofthe hopper, on each side of the table open ing. Fig. 11 is a plan viewof a portion of the mechanism connected with the hopper. Fig. 12 is aview of the same mechanism in elevation. Fig. 13 is an end elevation ofthe machine.

2, 2, 2, 2, represent the supporting legs and 3, 3, the rails of thesupporting frame.

at represents the table and 5 represents the opening in the table.

6 represents the hopper.

7 represents the pieces of boards in the hopper resting on the table,across the opening. These pieces are preferably matched before beingplaced in the hopper.

The power is applied to the pulley 8, which revolves the shaft 9. Thesprocketand carries wheel 12, keyed to the shaft 13. The shaft 13 alsocarries the smaller sprocket wheels 14, 14, which operates the sprocketchains 15, 15, under the sides of the table opening, over the sprocketwheels, 16, 16, mounted on the shaft 17. Arranged upon each of thesprocket chains 15, 15, are the lugs 18, 18, two or more of which may beprovided. The rod 19 is attached to the faces of the lugs 18, 18, andextends across and under the table opening 5. The pusher-head 20 ismounted revolubly, the rod extending through the opening 21. Thepusher-head 20 carries the pivotal bar 22 arranged upon the pivot 23.The bar 22 is intended to revolve only slightly upon the pivot 23 andthe scope of its revolution is limited by the tension of the strapsprings 24-, 241. The purpose of the bar 22 is to engage the lower piecein the hopper and the springs operate to allow a uniformity of pressureof the bar 22 if in engagement with a wedge-shaped plece.

The front end of the hopper is vertically adjustable sufficient topermit one piece at a time to be pushed from beneath the other pieces.Several pusher-heads may be carried by the operation of the sprocketchains 15, 15. Each pusher-head 20 carries the swivel bar 22 and, as thesprocket wheels revolve, pushes the bottom piece forward 1 through thebottom opening of the hopper,

the pusher-head operating through the opening 5. The pusher-head alsooperates to push the matched pieces together.

25 represents a base to the pusher-head 20 and is adapted to rise uponthe pusher-head supporting-member 26, which will be termed a table. Thetable 26 operates to support the pusher-head in an upright positionwhile engaging the pieces.

27 represents the base of the table 26 and is adapted to slidetransversely in the ways 28,28.

The forward movement of one of the pusher-heads pushes the lower piecefrom the hopper against the piece ahead between the rollers 29 andtheopposite idler rollers 30, which operate as a retard and force thejoints together. In the operation of the machine the pushenheadcontinues to advance the board on the table until the base of thepusher-head passes over the end of the supporting table 26 when thepusherhead having no upright support, drops backward turning upon therod 19 and is permitted to pass beneath the piece. Each followingpusher-head 20 repeats the operation and serves to build up a continuousboard. In the operation of the machine, the board is continuouslyadvanced on the table until the front end of the board impinges againstthe trigger 31. The trigger 31 operates automatically to move the table26 transversely from beneath the pusherhead. When the trigger is forcedforward by the advance of the board, the lever arm 32, pivoted at 33,keyed to the shaft 34, rocks the segmental gear 35 which engages thebevel gear 36 mounted upon the shaft 37 which is journaled in suitablesupports at one side of the table. Shafts 34 and 37 do not revolve butonly rock slightly in their bearings. The shaft 37 carries the uprightlever arm 38 keyed thereto at 39 and connecting by rod 40 with the table26. The rocking of the shaft 37 operates to slide the table 26transversely in the ways 28, 28 from beneath the pusher-head 20, andpermits the pusher-head to drop out of engagement with the pieces, whenthe board has been advanced to the desired length. The trigger operatesto stop the advance at the required length of the board and may beadjusted to any desired length. An idler gear 41 is mounted loosely uponthe shaft 13 and meshes with the gear 42 keyed to shaft 43. The side ofthe gear wheel 41 is provided with a clutch engagement adapted to engagethe sliding clutch 44, which is mounted on shaft 13. The sliding of thetable 26 operates the rod 45 connected therewith which carries the arm46 operating to throw the clutch 44 in and out of engagement. lVhen thetable 26 is operated transversely from beneath the pusher-head 20 theclutch 44 is moved into engagement with the gear 41 causing the gears 41and 42 to revolve. The revolution of said gears starts the revolution ofthe shaft 43. The swinging saw frame 47 supported by the standards 48,48, carries the saws 49, 49, 49, mounted upon suitable arbors 50, 50,50,- with the take up idlers 51, 51. The saws are revolving continuouslyand are thrown into contact with the board by the operation of the shaftwhich carries the crank 52. The crank 52 is connected by means of theconnecting rod 53 and the 01fset arm 54 to the swinging saw frame. Asthe shaft 43 is revolved by the clutch engagement the swinging saw frameis swung downwardly into engagement with the board until the board issawed off. The saws are mounted in alinement with each other and thetravel of the swinging frame is such that each of the saws cuts itsportion of the board and is swung downward sufficiently so that each sawoperates to cut its portion of the board, and the aggregate ofthe cutscompletes the sawing of the board. The object of providing a series ofsaws in alinement is to shorten the time of the cut as compared with asingle saw. The travel of each saw in a series is lessened and the arcof the swinging frame is shortened.-

55 represents a puller the function of which is to pull the sawed offpiece from the table. The puller consists of a skateshaped hook looselyhung from the portion of the saw frame upon which the arbors aremounted, and, while the board is being built upon the table, rides onthe board. As the saw frame is swung downward and forward to make thecut, the puller is carried transversely across the board and ispositioned so that when the sawing operation is completed the hook dropsover the edge of the board. When the saw frame is returned, the pullercarried thereby operates to pull the sawed board from the table. The sawframe moves rapidly and imparts suflicient momentum to the board toefiect the operation stated, fact that the device 55 does not moveacross the full width of the table,

The plate 56 is rigidly attached to the side of the saw frame and, whenthe frame is swung, impinges against the beveled face of the relieftrigger 57, which is pivoted to the arm, 32 at 33. The arm 32 carriesboth the triggers 31 and 57. As the saw frame is swung downward andforward for the cut, the plate 56 moves the triggers 57 and 31 andoperates to remove the tension of the trigger 31 from the edge of theboard, affording relief from pinching the saw and freeing the sawed offboard so that the operation of the puller can slide the board easilyfrom the table. The trigger operation moves the arm 32 which serves torock the shafts 34 and 37 a short distance. The continued engagement ofthe plate 56 with the trigger 57, while the saw frame is swinging,affords a safety against any possibility of the pusher-head advancingthe board while the saw is in the cut and a positive holding of thetable 26 free from the pusherheads. After the completion of the cut thesaw frame is returned sufliciently to release the plate 56 fromengagement with the trigger 57 and the weight 58 mounted on the arm 59,keyed to the end of the shaft 37, operates to return the table 26 andthe triggers 31 and 57 to their normal positions and the table 26 ispositioned to again support the pusher-heads in the advancement of theboard.

The pin 58 passes through an opening in the table 26 and may be lockedby thread or otherwise to the table 26 at 60, 60. The counter balancetable 61 is permitted to rock notwithstanding the and carry the table 26"upon the pin 58 and is provided with the arm 62 integral therewithwhich is of sufficient weight to counter-balance the weight of thepusher-head. The top of the table 61 is normally in the same plane withthe table 26. The object of the table 61 is to support the pusher-headsin an upright position and provide a safety support while the table 26is retained at one side out of action during the sawing operation, sothat the table when released by the triggers may slide transversely toits normal position. The table 61 as mounted is yielding, the objectbeing to support the pusher-head in an upright position without pushingpower. Table 61 is intended to counteract the tendency of the pusherhead to hang on its shaft when the sliding table is at one side, so thatin the event the cut is finished while the pusher head is passing thesliding table, there is nothing to prevent the latter from moving backunder the pusher head. In view of the yielding action of table 61, ifthe pusher head reaches a board in the hopper, while riding on saidtable 61, the board will not advance, but 61 would be pressed down andwould allow the pusher head to pass under the board. If the pusher headshould pass the sliding table at the time the cut is finished, the tablecould not return to its normal position until the pusher head hadpassed, in the absence of some provision such as that above specified.

It often occurs that the lower piece may be only partially fed from thehopper at the stopping of the feed for the sawing process, then theother pieces on top would be liable to topple backward. To avoid this 1provide an automatic support for the pieces contained in the hopper.Fig. 9 represents a. plan view showing only one of the supports and Fig.10 is a side view of the same. Supports are provided on each side of thetable opening 5. The ways 68, 63, are provided upon the table 4 at eachside of the opening 5 and located at the rear of the hopper. Thetraveler 64 slides in the ways 63, 63, and carries the plate 65 attachedthereto and having a projecting end sufiiciently forward to be carriedbeneath the contents of the hopper in the operation of the machine. Thetraveler 64 is carried toward the hopper by means of engagement of thelug 66 with the pin 67, on each side. The lug 66 extends suflicientlybeyond the travel of the pivotal bar 22 to engage the pin 67. The bar 22pivoted at 23 is carried by the pusherhead. It will be understood thatthe forward movement of the pushenheads carries the plates 65 on eachside of the table-opening beneath the contents of the hopper to preventtoppling of the contents. When the pusherhead revolves rearward at theend of the stroke, the traveler 64 is released and is returned by theaction of the weight 68. The rack 69 is located upon the table 4 on eachside of the opening 5 outside of the way 63. 70, 70', represent openingsin the table 4 at each end of the rack. The pawl 71 revolves on the stud72 mounted in the bearing 73 located upon or integral with the traveler64. When the forward motion of the pusher-head carries the traveler, thepawl 71 rides the rack 69, and, in case the forward motion of thepusher-head continues until the piece has cleared the hopper the pawlwill automatically drop through the opening 70 and, as the traveler isre leased by the pusher-head and returned by the weight 68, the pawlwill ride backward free upon the rack until it drops into the rearopening 70. If the traveler should be released by the pusher-head beforethe piece has cleared the hopper, the pawl would be in engagement withthe rack and would prevent the action of the weight from returning thetraveler and the plate 65 would remain to support the contents of thehopper, until a following pusher-head would carry the piece from thehopper. The plate 65 has an inclined face to reduce friction against thecontents of the hopper upon its return. This method of supporting theboards in the hopper is adapted to pieces of unequal length. In case thepieces are of equal length when fed to the hopper, I provide a simplermeans for adjusting the hopper. Fig. 11 represents a plan view and Fig.12 a side view of this feature of my invention.

The hopper 6 comprises in its construction two side pieces 74, 74,laterally adjustable upon the table and a front gate 75. The side piecesof the hopper are carried by angular brackets 100 which are connected byset screws 101 with shaft 102 extending transversely of the machine, andgate 75 is also adjustably connected with said shaft by short arms 103.

76, 76, represent bell-crank levers on each side pivoted at 77, 77 tothe supports 7 8, 78, attached to sides 74, 74. The levers 76, 76, areoffset at 79 to engage the plates 80, 80, and force the pins 81, 81, 81,81,through openings in the sides 74, 74, into engagement with the endsof the piece in the hopper above the moving piece below, to sustain thecontents of the hopper. In the operation of the machine the bottom pieceengages the beveled end of the trip-levers 76, 76, and causes them torock upon the pivots 77, 77, and force the pins 81, 81, 81, 81, into theends of the piece in the hopper above the moving piece, suflicient tosustain the contents of the hopper. \Vhen the forward movement continuesuntil the lower piece is carried beyond the levers 76,

'a position partially &

76, they are automatically released and the pressure-springs 82, 82, actto restore the mechanism to its normal condition and the pins arewithdrawn from the piece, permitting it to drop to the table. 7

In the operation of the machine the pieces are first placed in thehopper, having been previously matched and preferably glued, and usuallythe tongued edge forward. The advancement of the pusher heads continuesto carry the lower pieces from the hopper upon the table under thepressure pieces and 7 between the retarding rolls, until the front pieceengages the trigger 31 acting to force the trigger. The action of thetrigger operates to rock the connecting shafts and the supporting tablefrom beneath the pusher-head to relieve it. The feed is then stopped.The reciprocation of the table throws into engagement the clutch whichswings the saw frame to make the cut. The swing of the saw frame throwsthe plate 56 into engagement with the bevel face of the trigger '57 andforces both triggers a short distance. The operation of the trigger 57rocks the shafts slightly suflicient to reciprocate the supporting tableto a degree for safety as described. After the saw cut and removal bythe puller the operation is automatically restored as described.

It will be understood that the removal of the pusher-head-support may beaccomplished otherwise than by the shafts and gear shown, I regard asone of the esential features of my invention the automatic withdrawal ofthe support from the pusherhead at the proper time.

The saws are in continuous motion and the pusher-heads are in continuousmotion. My invention provides an automatic mechanism for throwing bothmechanisms in and out of action at the proper time.

It will be observed that the front face of the hopper is inclinedoutwardly. This is of advantage in supplying pieces of different widthsto the hopper and serves to balance the gravity support of the contentsof the hopper.

The cut-off saws are driven by a separate moving power operating by beltfrom the same shaft that operates the pulley 8.

Fig. 13 represents an end view illustrating the driving means and sawingmechanism. In this view the saws are shown at through the cut. 83represents the driving pulley for the saws and 84 represents the drivingpulley for the machine, both mounted on shaft 85 which is suitablysuspended in bearings from above. 86 represents the saw-driving belt and87 represents the machine-driving belt. 88 represents the board. The arm89 is bolted to the saw frame at 90 and carries the weight 91 Whichoperates to retain the move Having thus described my invention what Iclaim is 1. In a machine of the class described, a table, a saw framemounted therein andarranged to swing transversely saws carried by theframe and arranged to engage a board during the swinging move ment,board feeding means, a trigger adapted to be engaged by a board andcontrolling the feeding means, a counterbalanced safety trigger engagedby the saw frame during the full sawing operation and con nected withthe feeding means, preventing the feeding of a board while another boardis being cut.

2. In a machine of the class described, a table, a saw frame mountedtherein and arranged to swing transversely of the table, saws carried bythe frame and arranged to engage a board during the-swinging movement,board-feeding means including a plurality of members one of which ispivoted and counter-balanced, a trigger adapted to be engaged by a boardand controlling the feeding means, a counter-balanced safety triggerengaged by the saw frame during the full sawing operation, and connectedwith the feeding means, preventing the feeding of a board while anotherboard is being cut.

3. In a machine of the class described, a table, a plurality of sawsmounted thereon, a hopper mounted on the table,-a member arranged toreciprocate transversely of the table, a pusher head, a traveling devicecarrying the pusher head,'supporting means for said pusher head mountedon the reciprocating member, and comprising a plurality of members insubstantially parallel relation, one of which is pivotally mounted, thesaid pusher head feeding the boards from the hopper.

In a machine of the class described, a hopper, a pusher head supportingmember arranged to reciprocate beneath the said hopper, a travelingmember, a pusher head mounted beneath the hopper, and carried by thetraveling member, the supporting member holding said pusher head inoperative position for a given interval, and a second supporting memberpivotally mounted adjacent to that first mentioned and arof the table, 7

ranged to support the pusher head for an interval preceding the intervalfirst mentioned.

5. In a machine of the class described, a hopper, a member mountedbeneath said hopper, and arranged to reciprocate in a transversedirection with reference to the path of feed from said hopper, acontinuously traveling member, a shaft connected therewith, and arrangedto move across the reciprocating member, a pusher head mounted on theshaft, 3, member movable with the reciprocating member and supportingsaid pusher head for a given interval, a second pusher head supportingmember pivotally mounted adjacent to that first mentioned andsubstantially parallel therewith, the upper surface being flush with thesurface of the supporting member first mentioned, said second supportingmember reaching the pusher head before the first has passed the path. ofmovement thereof, and means for counter-balancing the pusher head whenretained in position by the second supporting member.

6. In a machine of the class described, a hopper, a table on which thehopper is mounted, a-shaft and means for causing the shaft to travelbeneath the hopper, a pusher head on siad shaft and rotatably mounted,

said pusher head comprising a board engag? ing device, and a basearranged to slide on a suitable support, a main supporting membermovable transversely of the table and designed to support the pusherhead during a given interval, a base for the supporting member, ways forsaid base, a pivotally mounted supporting member adjacent to the mainsupporting member and having a surface substantially flush therewith,said pivotally mounted member cooperating with the main supportingmember in the support of the pusher head and controlling the inter valof such support, and means for counterbalancing the pivoted member andfor yieldingly supporting the pusher head when the latter is carried bythe pivoted member.

7. In a machine of the class described, a hopper, a pusher head forfeeding boards from said hopper, traveling means on which the pusherhead is rotatably mounted, a rigid support for the pusher head, and ayielding support for the latter, said yielding support being broughtinto operation preceding the operation of the rigid supporting member.

8. In a machine of the class described, a hopper, means for feedingboards therefrom, said means comprising a traveling device and a boardengaging member, and means for supporting boards within the hopper,comprising devices spread apart horizontally by sliding contact with theextreme forward ends of the lowermost board, and means operated by saiddevices, for engaging the board above the first mentioned board.

9. In a device of the class described, a hopper, means for feedingboards therefrom and means for supporting boards within the hopper, saidmeans comprising devices spread apart horizontally by sliding contactwith the extreme forward ends of the lowermost board, devices extendingthrough the sides of the hopper and engaging the board next above andmeans whereby said devices are operated by the devices engaged by thelower board.

10. In a device of the class described, a hopper, means for feedingboards therefrom and means for supporting boards within the hopper, saidmeans including horizontal pivotally mounted levers spread apart bysliding contact with the extreme forward ends of the boards and devicesextending through the walls of the hopper and engaging one of the boardswhen the levers are engaged by the ends of the lower board.

11. In a device of the class described, a hopper, means for feedingboards therefrom and means for supporting boards within the hopper, saidsupporting means comprising bell-crank levers mounted horizontally atthe lower sides of the hopper and operated by sliding contact with theextreme ends of a board moving in the same horizontal plane, pinsprojecting through the walls of the hopper and arranged to engage one ofthe boards, devices engaging the pins and operated by the levers whensaid levers are engaged by the forward ends of a board below the boardfirst mentioned.

In testimony wherof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN J. BELL.

Witnesses:

N. F. KIMBALL, A. R. WATERHOUSE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

